As we continue through the NBA Finals, we are breaking down Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder staged a hard-fought comeback win with a little over three minutes left in Game 4 to even this series at two wins apiece. Let’s not waste any more time and jump right into some of our favorite NBA picks for Monday, June 16th.
Monday’s Best NBA Finals Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Thunder -3.5 First-Quarter Spread (-112)
We kick things off with a first-quarter bet that plays directly to the psyche of the Pacers, after losing the lead with less than five minutes to go in Game 4. While Indiana may have revenge on their mind for this contest, the result of the missed opportunity to take a 3-1 lead in the series may weigh heavily, especially in the first 12 minutes.
The Thunder are averaging 28.5 points over the first 12 minutes of action, while knocking down 46.6% of their field-goal attempts. Indiana has struggled in the first quarter of the playoffs on the road, averaging 24.7 points, almost seven fewer compared to when they play on their home floor.
This gives a little edge based on scoring averages throughout the playoffs. However, over the last two games the Pacers played in Oklahoma City, the team is only averaging 20 points in the first quarter, while shooting below 40% from the field and attempting only 2.5 free throws per game.
Oklahoma City looks to be in a fantastic spot to cover the 3.5-point spread going into the second quarter. The Thunder will almost certainly be looking to get off to a strong start against an Indiana team that missed out on the chance to take a stranglehold in this series.
Thunder -5.5 First-Half Spread (-120)
Oklahoma City is averaging 62 points at the half when playing on their home floor throughout the playoffs. The Pacers are putting up 52.8 points at the halftime mark in 10 games played on the road this postseason.
The Pacers concede an average of 56.7 points at halftime throughout this postseason, while only averaging 52.8 points of their own by halftime. Indiana has averaged an abysmal 43 half-time points in the first two contests played at the Paycom Center in this series. The Thunder are scoring 58 first-half points per contest in the last two games against the Pacers at home.
Oklahoma City has lost two out of the last six games played at home in the playoffs. The Thunder have led in three consecutive contests on their floor when going into the third quarter. The home team has had the half-time lead in each of the last 12 games involving the Pacers.
Thunder Team Total Over 116.5 Total Points (-112)
This will more than likely be the sweatiest of all the selections for this contest. However, Oklahoma City has continuously scored in bunches when playing on its home court and should be involved in another high-paced affair.
The Thunder are averaging 122.1 points at the Paycom Center through the postseason. Oklahoma City is shooting 48.1% from the field as a team, while knocking down over 13 three-pointers each contest at a 35.9% clip. The Thunder have scored at least 120 points in five out of 11 home postseason contests.
Indiana is allowing an average of 114.4 points per game on the road in the playoffs. However, the Pacers allowed 123 points the last time they took the court in Oklahoma City for Game 2. Indiana allowed 97 points in the final three quarters in the second contest in this series. It will be close, yet we feel the Thunder will exceed 116.5 points this evening.
Myles Turner Under 13.5 Points (-105)
Myles Turner has had difficulty with consistency in the NBA Finals. The veteran center scored 15+ points in the first two games of the series, but has not scored more than 12 points in a game since. Turner has scored 14+ points in two out of the last seven contests.
The Pacers center is shooting below 40% from the field and a dreadful 20% from beyond the arc in the NBA Finals. Turner has made one three-pointer in his last 10 attempts and has not made more than three field goals in the previous two contests.
Turner has been anything but locked in during this series, and the three-point issues are extremely troublesome. The Pacers center doesn’t seem to be in the best health following Game 2, and the box score totals suggest this may be the cause behind the woeful shooting percentages.
Pascal Siakam Over 1.5 Steals + Blocks (-115)
Pascal Siakam is averaging far below a block per game in the playoffs (0.6). Having said that, Siakam is averaging 1.2 steals per game during the postseason, with at least two steals in six contests.
The veteran forward has accumulated more than 1.5 combined steals + blocks in the previous three contests in this series, including five steals in Game 4. Siakam has five blocks and seven steals through the first four games of the NBA Finals.
Siakam finished with at least two combined steals + blocks in six out of the last seven games and 11 of the previous 20 contests. The Indiana forward has cleared a combined 1.5 steals + blocks in four out of the last six road games.
Siakam will have ample opportunity to block shots and record steals this evening. Above all, Indiana will need one of their best rim-protectors to be as active as possible in this contest. Siakam has been loading up on the rejections and steals, and we feel he finishes this contest with two or more.
Enjoy the games tonight and best of luck with your picks.
